Reviews

03/16/2018

When I showed Violet a picture of this blouse when I was asked to be a part of the Nina blouse blog tour she immediately got excited about it! Initially I wasn't sure she'd be interested because of the Peter Pan collar, she tends to veer away from collars...but no longer apparently!

Now, being ten, she likes collars, ruffles...and apparently green is no longer her favorite color...but PINK! Pink, has never ever been her "thing" so it looks like this 10 thing really is a big deal, ha!

Anywho, she truly was thrilled by the idea of the Nina...and despite her new found love of pink, picked this beautiful royal blue Cotton and Steel rayon fabric from my stash.

This pattern is so lovely in rayon, especially with the long billowy sleeves!

And that Peter Pan collar! It's so perfect!

Ok, before I go any further...I know it might be bugging you, it is me!

But, of course I didn't realize it, sadly, until I was editing pictures! Good heavens, I did not even think about the fact that I needed to pay attention to pattern matching with this fabric! I don't know why I didn't realize it, but well, I didn't. So, mismatched it is! It makes it look more RTW that way, right?!

Moving on...

Olga has done it again!

Made a fantastic pattern that is both perfect for little girls AND big girls alike!

I could not be happier about this!

I know I say this a lot, but I am so happy that designers keep making patterns for growing kids! I mean, I don't know how much longer my kids will let me make them clothes, but having tween patterns available to sew is always helpful!

The Nina Blouse has sizes from 12 months to 12 year, three sleeve options, two different collars, and a sweet bow tie that can be added as well! There are also three little shoulder pleats (hard to see here with my blouse and fabric) that are a super sweet added detail as well.

The pattern is layered so you can easily print out your needed size only and the instructions and pattern illustrations are clear and easy to follow.

Violet really couldn't be happier about her new blouse! In fact, it will likely be paired with a skirt for Easter wear too! I love it too, though I think it makes her look so grown up, but...such is life nowadays!

Don't forget to check out all of the beautiful Ninas from around the globe for the blog tour!

And, grab your Nina pattern now! Throughout the blog tour you can get 20% off with the code NINAPATTERNTOUR (good through 03/19, 11:59 pm Central)

12/08/2017

Today, I'm sharing my Urban Jungle Animal Doll as a part of the Petit à Petit "Welcome to the Jungle" pattern tour. Celina, of Petit à Petit + Family, just released the coolest and cutest doll patterns (and clothes!) and to celebrate...I got to join the jungle tour along several other talented women! There are so many different options so we are showing off a few of them so you can find inspiration and find time to make one yourself, just in time for holiday gifts!

Meet Olive the Oriole bird...

When I first saw Celina's Urban Jungle Animal Dolls I fell in love with April's fox, then I saw the panda and knew Henry would want him! And then, out of nowhere Henry peaked over my shoulder to investigate what I was looking at. The oos and ahhs ensued...which, of course brought Violet over too...I quickly realized that I had accidentally let the "cat out of the bag" on a potential Christmas gift idea.

Boo.

A few days later Celina asked me if I wanted to be a part of the tour. I thought about attempting, still, to make something in secret, but then I was having a tough time deciding on what to make after hearing them ooh and ahh over all of the dolls and they seemingly didn't really have a favorite. I tried to get hints from them, but in the end I just asked...

I'm glad I did because, somewhat surprisingly to me, they both loved the bird! I think it was the wings that won them over...

I don't at all blame them!

The bird, it was decided, wasn't going to be just any bird...but it'd be an Oriole bird!

It's a funny thing, the things that become important to you, the things that you hold on to.

The Oriole bird, the bird of Baltimore (go O's!), the bird of Maryland. A bird, that isn't often seen though it's revered by many.

The Oriole bird means a lot to these kids (and to my husband), because it represents the Maryland that's in their blood. And now that we no longer live in Maryland, and must tolerate the many many Yankee fans around (sorry if you are a fan! ;) ) that symbol seems all the more important and special.

So, an Oriole bird is what we decided...but then of course, I couldn't help but take a few liberties to make this a special Oriole bird...

I am not new to making dolls and stuffed animals. I've made many, many before. Stuffed animals are actually some of the first things I sewed when I began sewing 10 or so years ago...stuffed animals for my soon to be nephews and for our friend's new babies...Dolls and stuffed animals are some of my most favorite things to make in fact!

I love making them firstly because...who doesn't love a beautiful handmade doll? Secondly, the possibilities are endless in the making. From fabrics to colors to faces to...

Celina's doll patterns make the possibilities even more endless with a large variety of animals, eyes and even clothes to dress them up in!

When I make dolls or stuffed animals I particularly love to play with texture...

The body and head is made of a random bit of gold specked herringbone wool that I had in my stash...

Each and every element gives a new texture to touch and hold and cuddle. Each and every piece of fabric making for a one of a kind, completely unique doll! That's why making dolls is a favorite!

I'm also pretty smitten with these gold flecks and herringbone!

And these fierce eyes!

And don't get me started on the tail!

I should say also, that making dolls is one of my favorite things because there is so much satisfaction when you see the smiles on the faces that get those handmade dolls!

The way handmade dolls are used to fuel their imagination...

And, in Olive the Oriole's case, the way their imagination can take flight and allow a bird with felt wings to soar...

And soar...

Imagination and smiles, make a makers heart happy don't they!

What a fun doll this was to make! There are already requests for different dolls...a unicorn seems to be on the top of the list currently. Bravo to Celina for making such a wonderful pattern filled with so many options and instructions that are clear and easy to follow and very well detailed. My kids, and many others it seems, particularly love the giant size of this doll, it is super fun!

If you want to see all of the different doll options from bird, to panda to lion and more...and, of course want to grab your own copy as well, you can find that all here!

First, because it's sizing, up to 12, means that I actually could sew it! More and more Violet is aging/growing out of sizing for so many patterns lately, especially those for wovens, but she hasn't yet grown out of wanting and liking mama mades.

Second, because of the back of this pattern... though I will say, that I got so carried away with taking pictures of the front...I nearly forgot to get a shot of the back...

But isn't it great? I am a huge fan of racer backs in tanks...but never have I seen that style in a woven...and I am, perhaps, even more of a fan now!

A few things...the Rushbrook Dress and Top pattern includes 13 sizes from 12-18 months to 12 years, there are two lengths (top and dress), two hem styles (facing or ruffle) and other fun options such as a flutter sleeve, placket ruffle and gathered patch pockets...Not to mention that (as always) the instructions are impeccable. All of Laura's tutorials are detailed and easy to understand with illustrations, tips and PDF layers for each size.

The Rushbrook also has all of the seams either finished with bias binding or by using French Seams, so it looks as nice on the inside as it does on the outside.

I will say that my original intention had been to sew up the top version and pair it with a pair of Twisted Trousers...Alas, time and heat got the better of me! I've got the trousers all cut out but I didn't quite have enough time to sew them so, for now, sadly they've been pushed to the back of my "to make" pile...No worries though, because as it seems we are having an unusually HOT and HUMID October so far, who wants to wear pants anyway!

I made the top version in size 12. It's a bit on the big side under the arms but, since it's (supposedly) fall my plan had been to have it big enough to be able to wear a long sleeved shirt underneath. Also, as you can see, it's not a top but a dress...

The top length was a little too long to be worn as a top, I suppose I really ought to have sewn a size smaller. I checked in with Violet and she agreed. We decided then to add the ruffle to the top and make it into a dress after all.

Violet is not typically a ruffley kind of girl, but lately...they seem to be growing on her. She loved the idea!

I added about 4" to the height of the ruffle pattern for the top, to add both a bit more length (not wanting it to be too short) and a bit more of a color pop.

One of the reasons I love Olga's patterns first, they are so well done! But, second, and perhaps the most important to me, is that she makes patterns that my nine year old wants to wear! Coffee & Thread patterns are so great for this age...almost preteen. The fit, is always spot on, which can sometimes be challenging at this age. And the patterns really appeal to both mom and kid...classic, with a hint of vintage, but also so easy to wear!

So, with all of my gushing about the patterns, of course that meant that I waffled back and forth on which to actually sew! I had hoped to make a Polina dress, which still might (though my time is running out) happen for Easter...but for the tour I thought it might be fun to make something for both Violet and Henry!

Violet was thrilled by the whole ensemble and couldn't/wouldn't stop gushing over it.

I'm so happy she likes it. And, I love how it simultaneously makes her look older while still looking like a nine year old!

For Henry...well, initially I wasn't sure I was going to make him anything...but then, as I mentioned earlier..."chickens". I couldn't not make him something with this amazing chicken fabric! So I planned a Mulberry tunic for him. But, then again, after making the Ania there wasn't actually much of the chicken fabric left to play with. Fortunately I had this AMAZINGyarn dyed cotton from Imagine Gnats (sorry the peach is all sold out!) that matched perfectly with the chickens!

I wish you could see and feel how perfect the texture of this fabric is and how light weight it is at the same time! It really goes perfectly with the Mulberry tunic and as I mentioned, with the chickens too! I had just enough chicken fabric for the front accent pocket, the back yoke...

and side pockets as well. Speaking of pockets...Henry could not get over how many pockets he had in this one outfit! FIVE, total! He was overly excited about that number and couldn't quite figure out which pockets he ought to be using!

The Mulberry tunic was a crowd pleaser for sure, Violet has already requested one...the short sleeved version with a hood makes for an especially perfect Spring/Summer shirt. Henry, honestly didn't want to ever take the hood down!

Aside from the fact that the pattern construction of this tunic makes for oh so many fun color blocking options...I also really love the sleeve construction. Initially, I was a little bit confused as to what I was actually doing, but then...oh, wow, I love it!

Welcome...

I'm Jane, thanks for stopping by! I hope you take your time and take a look around...If you do you'll our adventures in sewing, creating, crafting, gardening and exploring...it's what gets us through the day and fullfills us!
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